Otto Edelmann (Bass-Baritone)

Born: February 5, 1917 - Brunn am Gebirge, near Vienna, Austria
Died: May 15, 2003 - Vienna, Austria

The Austrian bass-baritone, Otto Edelmann, studied at the Vienna Music Academy (now the Vienna University for Music and Performing Arts), with Lierhammer and Grüner Graarud.

Otto Edelmann made his operatic debut in 1937 at Gera in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. From 1938 to 1940 he was engaged at Nuremberg. In 1940 he was drafted into the German army. Captured by the Soviets, he spent several years as a prisoner of war.

In 1947 Otto Edelmann joined the Vienna State Opera, where he made his debut as the Hermit in Der Freischütz. This was the first of a 36-year engagement in the Austrian capital that included 430 performances in 36 different roles. With a repertoire of over 40 operas, Otto Edelmann was a well-known figure on the opera stages of Vienna, Munich, Covent Garden and La Scala. He has been a permanent member of the Metropolitan Opera Company since 1954. He has also sung at the Bayreuth, Salzburg and Edinburgh Festivals.

With his powerful voice, Otto Edelmann was a favorite choice for Wagnerian roles. His portrayal of Baron Ochs in Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier and Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger were unforgettable.

Later easing back on performing, Otto Edelmann turned increasingly to teaching, and in 1982 he was appointed singing professor at the Vienna Music Academy. His suns, Paul Armin Edelemann and Peter Edelmann, is also a baritone singers.

Source: Liner notes to the album ‘ Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier’ conducted by Herbert von Karajan (Angel Records, 1957); Andante Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2001, May 2003)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Wilhelm Furtwängler

Bass

BWV 244

Herbert von Karajan

Bass

BWV 244

Links to other Sites

Bass-Baritone Otto Edelmann Dies at 86 (Andante)